NSW SES Ryde Unit

31/01/2026

Australia Day was a particularly special day as our outgoing Unit Commander Keiran Gibson was recognised as the Ryde Citizen of the Year.

Keiran stepped down as Commander last year after 18 years in command of the Ryde Unit and 26 years to date in the NSW SES. During his time he grew the unit to over 115 volunteers, responding to an average of 600 incidents per year in the Ryde LGA alone. He has trained, assessed and mentored countless SES volunteers and developed a unit culture centred on trust, accountability, respect and team work.

Keiran has worked locally in Ryde and has been deployed around NSW in response to floods and storms as an Incident Controller for major events including:
• ⁠Multiple deployments to the Nepean and Hawkesbury floods (2020 – 2022)
• ⁠Hornsby tornado (2013)
• ⁠Berowra Heights hailstorm December (2018)
• ⁠Support of NSW RFS by SES (2001, 2006, 2013, 2019/2020

Major Ryde storms:
• February 2005
• 2007 Storm – 700 incidents in Ryde
• April 2015 – 180 incidents in Ryde
• June 2016 – 175 incidents in Ryde
• February 2020 – 490 incidents in Ryde
• March 2022 – 202 incidents in Ryde

Alongside his work in training, management and emergency response Keiran has led the Ryde SES’s involvement in the Granny Smith festival working with council on management of road closures, parade management, Rowe St stall closure and bump out and fireworks safety.

Averaging close to 1,000 hours of volunteering every year, alongside his professional employment and raising his young family, Keiran’s commitment to Ryde and the NSW SES is unparalleled and he is a worthy recipient of the Ryde Citizen of Year. A huge congratulations to Keiran from all of us.

NSW SES City of Ryde Mayor Trenton Brown

05/09/2025

Big thanks to our mates at NSW SES - Hunters Hill Unit for running the course. Love your work

23/08/2025

NAVSHIELD 2025 🗺️
Over the weekend, 4 members from the NSW SES Ryde Unit took on this year’s NavShield Challenge! 💪The team placed 18th out of 107 teams!
Joining 535 participants from across the country, our volunteers braved freezing 🥶 conditions as low as -2°C and navigated rugged terrain 🥾 through Jenolan State Forest and Kanangra-Boyd National Park.🌲 Armed with just a map and compass, they reached altitudes of 1,200 metres while putting their skills to the test.
The Navshield program, focuses on navigation skills 🧭 and is a key initiative that enables volunteers to engage in training and practical scenarios to strengthen community resilience during emergencies.🚨
These skills are critical during land searches🔦which is one of our support roles when assisting Police.👮🏻‍♂️

23/08/2025

Even with the 🌞 coming out today, NSW SES Ryde Unit volunteers are out once again this morning attending to multiple trees that have fallen over across the LGA due to the wet ground.

Big Thanks to our wonderful volunteers for attending these call outs this weekend.

📲 Download the Hazards Near Me app to monitor the warnings in your area or visit the NSW SES website.

☎️ If you require assistance in floods or storms, call NSW SES on 132 500. In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000).

21/08/2025

With heavy rain set to continue across Sydney and the City of Ryde for the remainder of the week. It’s important for residents to take extra care both at home and on the road.

👀 Watch for any pooling water or blocked drains that could result in water ingress.

⚠️ Slow down and check Live Traffic NSW before your journey for road closures and updates.

🚫 If you come across a flooded road, STOP, turn around and find an alternative route.
Even larger cars such as 4x4’s are not exempt from the impacts of floodwaters.

📲 Download the Hazards Near Me app to monitor the warnings in your area or visit the NSW SES website.

☎️ If you require assistance in floods or storms, call NSW SES on 132 500. In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000).

06/07/2025

⚠️ Severe Thunderstorm Warning ⚠️ DAMAGING WINDS and LARGE HAILSTONES

For people in parts of Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, Maitland/Cessnock, Greater Newcastle, Gosford/Wyong and Sydney areas.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 5:25 pm, severe thunderstorms likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones were detected near the Yengo National Park southwest of Wollombi and the Glen Davis/Newnes district (north of Lithgow). These thunderstorms are moving towards the southeast. They are forecast to affect Bilpin, Colo Heights, the Wollemi National Park north of Kurrajong and Wollombi by 5:55 pm and Richmond, Windsor, Riverstone and Londonderry by 6:25 pm.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.

30/06/2025

Latest weather warnings and advice from the Bureau and NSW SES. PREPARE NOW for forecast damaging and destructive winds:
📍 Taree
📍 Newcastle
📍 Gosford
📍 Sydney
📍 Wollongong
📍 Port Macquarie
View all current weather warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology here: https://ow.ly/xsXP50Wi9Ny
What you need to do:
🌳 Trim trees and branches that could potentially fall on your home or property.
🚗 Park your car under secure cover and away from trees, powerlines and drains.
🌬️ Secure or put away items, such as outdoor furniture, trampolines and roofing iron that could blow around in strong winds.
📲 Download the Hazards Near Me app to receive alerts for any new warnings in your area, or visit www.hazardwatch.gov.au
📞For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life-threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Latest weather warnings and advice from the Bureau and NSW SES. PREPARE NOW for forecast damaging and destructive winds:
📍 Taree
📍 Newcastle
📍 Gosford
📍 Sydney
📍 Wollongong
📍 Port Macquarie

View all current weather warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology here: https://ow.ly/xsXP50Wi9Ny

What you need to do:

🌳 Trim trees and branches that could potentially fall on your home or property.

🚗 Park your car under secure cover and away from trees, powerlines and drains.

🌬️ Secure or put away items, such as outdoor furniture, trampolines and roofing iron that could blow around in strong winds.

📲 Download the Hazards Near Me app to receive alerts for any new warnings in your area, or visit www.hazardwatch.gov.au

📞For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life-threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

25/05/2025

Volunteers play a key role in building a better Ryde 🧡 Last Thursday night, NSW SES Ryde Unit was nominated for Group Volunteer Group of the year. While we didnt take out the win, we celebrated the volunteers who dedicate themselves for our community’s benefit through a special awards ceremony.

Big Thanks to City of Ryde for their continued support and the nomination.

Ryde Unit are honoured to receive such a nomination.

NSW SES

11/05/2025

Wishing a Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, grandmothers and mother figures for their remarkable efforts every day, with special appreciation for the SES mothers who sacrifice even more time. 🧡💙🧡

28/03/2025

We are currently working to reopen Bligh St and Balaclava Rd (closed between Gordon St and North Road) after a tree has come down impacting powerlines. Thanks to the NSW Police Force and Fire and Rescue NSW Station 059 Eastwood, Ausgrid and City of Ryde for your assistance.

22/01/2025

🌬️ **Weather Situation:** A vigorous southerly wind change currently located along the South Coast will move rapidly northwards along the coast this afternoon. 🌊 The wind change is likely to reach the Sydney coast in the middle of the afternoon and then extend further north to the Newcastle coastline by early evening.

🌪️ **DAMAGING WINDS** averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h are possible along parts of the Illawarra, Sydney, and Hunter coast, including the Sydney enclosed waters, as the southerly change moves through during the afternoon and early evening.

🌟 Winds are expected to weaken below warning thresholds later in the evening.

⛈️ Severe thunderstorms are also possible over parts of Sydney and the Hunter during the afternoon or early evening. A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if this occurs.

📍 **Locations affected:** Newcastle, Sydney, The Entrance, and Woy Woy.

👷 **State Emergency Service advises:**
* 🚗 Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* 🏡 Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard, and balcony.
* ⚡ Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* 🌳 Trees damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* 📞 Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080), or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
* 👀 Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* 🚨 For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.

🌐 The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEDT Wednesday.